Sections

In this section:

How NFL 1st-round draft picks have evolved

April 30, 2014

In 2013, the first round of the NFL Draft was dominated by linemen — 9 offensive linemen and 9 defensive linemen were selected, while no running backs and only one quarterback (E.J. Manuel) were picked. While first-round picks are trending more toward linemen and away from skill positions, special teams remain an afterthought. There have only been five special teams players picked in the first round in the past 50 years, the last being kicker Sebastian Janikowski by the Raiders in 2000.